History of Day of the African Child

THE Soweto uprising was a series of protests led by black school children in South Africa that began on the morning of 16 June 1976.

Students from numerous Sowetan schools began to protest in the streets of Soweto in response to the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools.

It is estimated that 20 000 students took part in the protests.

They were met with fierce police brutality. The number of protesters killed by police is usually given as 176, but estimates of up to 700 have been made.

In remembrance of these events, the 16th of June is now a public holiday in South Africa, named Youth Day. - internet sources

Tanzikwa Guranungo is Assistant Director, Youth Programming and Public Relations at the Zimbabwe Youth Council.